{"title":"A metagenomics-based approach to decipher the resistome and mobilome of two seahorse species, Hippocampus barbouri and Hippocampus comes","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2024.107296","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><p>This study aimed to explore the abundance and diversity of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in seahorses (<em>Hippocampus barbouri</em> and <em>Hippocampus comes</em>) and their surrounding environment.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>A combination of shotgun metagenomics and bioinformatics was used to investigate the resistome of both seahorse species.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>The analyses demonstrated a higher abundance of ARGs in seahorse-associated microbiomes, particularly in skin and gut samples, compared to those from water and sediment. Interestingly, genes conferring multidrug resistance (e.g., <em>acrB, acrF, cpxA, msbA</em>, and <em>oqxB</em>) were highly prevalent in all samples, especially in skin and gut samples. High levels of genes conferring resistance to fluoroquinolones (e.g., <em>mfd</em> and <em>emrB</em>), β-lactam (e.g., <em>bla</em><sub>CMY-71</sub>, <em>bla</em><sub>OXA-55</sub>, and <em>penA</em>), aminocoumarin (e.g., <em>mdtB</em> and <em>mdtC</em>), and peptide antibiotics (<em>arnA, pmrE</em>, and <em>rosA</em>) were also observed in skin and gut samples. An enrichment of mobile genetic elements (MGEs) was also observed in the analysed samples, highlighting their potential role in facilitating the acquisition and spread of ARGs. In fact, the abundance of mobilisation (MOB) relaxases (e.g., MOBF, MOBP, MOBT, and MOBV) in gut and skin samples suggests a high potential for conjugation events.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>The occurrence of ARGs and MGEs in seahorses and the surrounding environment raises concerns about their transmission to humans, either through direct contact or the consumption of contaminated seafood. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first comprehensive analysis of ARGs in seahorse-associated microbiomes, and its results emphasise the need for monitoring and controlling the spread of ARGs in environmental settings.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":13818,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.9000,"publicationDate":"2024-08-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0924857924002127","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"INFECTIOUS DISEASES","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objective
This study aimed to explore the abundance and diversity of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in seahorses (Hippocampus barbouri and Hippocampus comes) and their surrounding environment.
Methods
A combination of shotgun metagenomics and bioinformatics was used to investigate the resistome of both seahorse species.
Results
The analyses demonstrated a higher abundance of ARGs in seahorse-associated microbiomes, particularly in skin and gut samples, compared to those from water and sediment. Interestingly, genes conferring multidrug resistance (e.g., acrB, acrF, cpxA, msbA, and oqxB) were highly prevalent in all samples, especially in skin and gut samples. High levels of genes conferring resistance to fluoroquinolones (e.g., mfd and emrB), β-lactam (e.g., blaCMY-71, blaOXA-55, and penA), aminocoumarin (e.g., mdtB and mdtC), and peptide antibiotics (arnA, pmrE, and rosA) were also observed in skin and gut samples. An enrichment of mobile genetic elements (MGEs) was also observed in the analysed samples, highlighting their potential role in facilitating the acquisition and spread of ARGs. In fact, the abundance of mobilisation (MOB) relaxases (e.g., MOBF, MOBP, MOBT, and MOBV) in gut and skin samples suggests a high potential for conjugation events.
Conclusions
The occurrence of ARGs and MGEs in seahorses and the surrounding environment raises concerns about their transmission to humans, either through direct contact or the consumption of contaminated seafood. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first comprehensive analysis of ARGs in seahorse-associated microbiomes, and its results emphasise the need for monitoring and controlling the spread of ARGs in environmental settings.
期刊介绍:
The International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents is a peer-reviewed publication offering comprehensive and current reference information on the physical, pharmacological, in vitro, and clinical properties of individual antimicrobial agents, covering antiviral, antiparasitic, antibacterial, and antifungal agents. The journal not only communicates new trends and developments through authoritative review articles but also addresses the critical issue of antimicrobial resistance, both in hospital and community settings. Published content includes solicited reviews by leading experts and high-quality original research papers in the specified fields.